A gigantic map of all the cool plaques in the world. A project of 99% Invisible.

Kew Williams House 1902

Kew Williams (1873-1956) built this house for his wife, Bertha Curran, in The Canadian Kew Gardens, a campground resort opened in 1879 by his parents, Joseph Williams and Jane Henry. Using mostly...

Kew Williams (1873-1956) built this house for his wife, Bertha Curran, in The Canadian Kew Gardens, a campground resort opened in 1879 by his parents, Joseph Williams and Jane Henry. Using mostly...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Keating Coffee House

On this site in 1833 stood Keating Coffee House, also known as York's Fourth Theater. In the back hall that was about 20 m long and held two to three hundred people theatrical and operatic...

On this site in 1833 stood Keating Coffee House, also known as York's Fourth Theater. In the back hall that was about 20 m long and held two to three hundred people theatrical and...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

The King Edward Hotel

The King Edward Hotel was built by George Gooderham's Toronto Hotel Company to meet the demand in the rising metropolis for a grand hotel. When it opened in 1903, the hotel, affectionately known...

The King Edward Hotel was built by George Gooderham's Toronto Hotel Company to meet the demand in the rising metropolis for a grand hotel. When it opened in 1903, the hotel, affectionately known...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Knesseth Israel Synagogue

"The Junction Shul" was founded early in the 20th century in a building at the corner of Maria Street and Runnymede Road, with a congregation primarily of Polish and Russian Jews. As the...

"The Junction Shul" was founded early in the 20th century in a building at the corner of Maria Street and Runnymede Road, with a congregation primarily of Polish and Russian Jews. As...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

The King's Mill

For thousands of years, the Humber River served as a corridor for Aboriginal settlement and trade. In late 1793, only a few months after British officials founded the Town of York (now Toronto),...

For thousands of years, the Humber River served as a corridor for Aboriginal settlement and trade. In late 1793, only a few months after British officials founded the Town of York (now...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Joseph Shepard

The Joseph Shepard Building is named after one of York's first settlers. Joseph Shepard was a fur trader, an outstanding pioneer who helped build some of the first houses in this area when York...

The Joseph Shepard Building is named after one of York's first settlers. Joseph Shepard was a fur trader, an outstanding pioneer who helped build some of the first houses in this area when...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

June Rowlands - Dedicated Leader and Woman of "Firsts"

For more than four decades, June Rowlands served the people of Toronto with passion, vision and commitment. Her impressive record of public service began as President of the Association of Women...

For more than four decades, June Rowlands served the people of Toronto with passion, vision and commitment. Her impressive record of public service began as President of the Association of Women...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

J.B. Tyrrell (1858-1957)

Joseph Burr Tyrrell, explorer and mining engineer, was born in Weston, Ontario on 1 November 1858. After graduation from the University of Toronto he joined the Canadian Geological Survey in 1881....

Joseph Burr Tyrrell, explorer and mining engineer, was born in Weston, Ontario on 1 November 1858. After graduation from the University of Toronto he joined the Canadian Geological Survey in 1881....

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

James Bryce Milner Park

A native of Nova Scotia, James Bryce Milner (1918-1969) was professor of law at the University of Toronto and an internationally-recognized authority on town planning law. A member of several...

A native of Nova Scotia, James Bryce Milner (1918-1969) was professor of law at the University of Toronto and an internationally-recognized authority on town planning law. A member of several...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

James Mavor Moore CC D.Litt LL.D FRSC 1919-2006

Dramatist, composer, producer, director, actor, educator and arts advocate, Mavor Moore passionately believed Toronto deserved a performing arts centre. Canada's Centennial in 1967 provided the...

Dramatist, composer, producer, director, actor, educator and arts advocate, Mavor Moore passionately believed Toronto deserved a performing arts centre. Canada's Centennial in 1967 provided the...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

John M. Lyle Studio 1921

This façade was part of a studio designed by John M. Lyle for his architectural practice. Lyle, one of Canada's most distinguished architects, trained a number of noteworthy Canadian architects at...

This façade was part of a studio designed by John M. Lyle for his architectural practice. Lyle, one of Canada's most distinguished architects, trained a number of noteworthy Canadian architects at...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Johnny Lombardi 1915-2002

Johnny Lombardi 1915-2002One of this city's best-known personalities, John Barbalinardo "Johnny" Lombardi was a pioneer in the promotion of Toronto's cultural diversity. Born in this city to an...

Johnny Lombardi 1915-2002One of this city's best- known personalities, John Barbalinardo "Johnny" Lombardi was a pioneer in the promotion of Toronto's cultural diversity. Born in this city to an...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Jarvis Street Baptist Church

The congregation of this church was formally organized in 1829, with chapels on Lombard Street (1832) and Bond Street (1848). Growing membership necessitated a new building, and this Gothic...

The congregation of this church was formally organized in 1829, with chapels on Lombard Street (1832) and Bond Street (1848). Growing membership necessitated a new building, and this...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Jean-Baptiste Rousseaux 1758-1812

Rousseaux was the first European to settle in the Toronto area. He and his father were interpreters for the Indian Department and were licensed to trade in this region. In 1787 Jean-Baptiste...

Rousseaux was the first European to settle in the Toronto area. He and his father were interpreters for the Indian Department and were licensed to trade in this region. In 1787...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

James Simpson (1873-1938)

Born in England in 1873, Jimmie Simpson came to Canada at the age of 14. Starting as a factory worker, he became a printer and reporter covering City Hall activities for the Toronto Daily Star....

Born in England in 1873, Jimmie Simpson came to Canada at the age of 14. Starting as a factory worker, he became a printer and reporter covering City Hall activities for the Toronto Daily...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

John Wilson Bengough 1851-1923

Born in Toronto, Bengough, a cartoonist, journalist, poet and lecturer, demonstrated a remarkable versatility of talent. In 1873 he founded Grip, the weekly magazine of humour in which many of his...

Born in Toronto, Bengough, a cartoonist, journalist, poet and lecturer, demonstrated a remarkable versatility of talent. In 1873 he founded Grip, the weekly magazine of humour in which many of his...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Jarvis Collegiate Institute

Established in 1807 as the Home District Grammar School, Jarvis Collegiate is one of the oldest public secondary schools in Ontario. In 1812 the Reverend John Strachan, later first Anglican Bishop...

Established in 1807 as the Home District Grammar School, Jarvis Collegiate is one of the oldest public secondary schools in Ontario. In 1812 the Reverend John Strachan, later first Anglican Bishop...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Joseph E. Atkinson (1865-1948)

One of Canada's most influential newspapermen, Atkinson became managing editor of the Toronto Star in 1899, and its majority owner by 1913. Originally hired by supporters of Sir Wilfred Laurier,...

One of Canada's most influential newspapermen, Atkinson became managing editor of the Toronto Star in 1899, and its majority owner by 1913. Originally hired by supporters of Sir Wilfred Laurier,...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

John J. Ward

The clock on this building was erected in the year 1932 by the City Council in memory of John J. Ward (1866-1914). Ward, a native of London Ontario, was a prominent reform-minded politician...

The clock on this building was erected in the year 1932 by the City Council in memory of John J. Ward (1866-1914). Ward, a native of London Ontario, was a prominent reform-minded politician...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Janet M. Magee 1898-1979

Erected in 1979, Janet Magee Manor was named in honour of Mrs. Janet Magee, a dedicated community worker in North Toronto. Born in Lombardy, Perth County, Ontario, she moved to Toronto in 1918 and...

Erected in 1979, Janet Magee Manor was named in honour of Mrs. Janet Magee, a dedicated community worker in North Toronto. Born in Lombardy, Perth County, Ontario, she moved to Toronto in 1918...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown